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22 June ~2009
I didn't think it was a good idea to camp on the wide part of the ridge above timberline. That makes me feel awful vulnerable when lightning starts crashing down. More than once I have run down the side of an alpine ridge while it seemed lighting bolts were just beyond my heels.
I found one level spot on the side of the ridge, just above an ancient clump of Krumholtz spruce.
I told the dogs I think we topped it this time, "This might be our most beautiful campsite yet." They smiled and ran around exploring our new home, which they know it is when I drop my pack.
The ridge we were on extended several hundred feet higher, with gorgeous views of snow-covered peaks on both sides. Me and the dogs climbed it after a dinner and a nap in the tent, using up the rest of the light in the longest day of the year.
These dogs, including Mollie, are so fearless it gives me heartburn just watching them - a foot away from hundreds of feet in drop. At least Mollie leans forward carefully when she looks over. Ben and Maggie walk right to the edge and look down, as if this was the edge of our backyard deck.
The neat thing about taking your gear up with you for overnighters, (besides the better workout), is that you can take your time, and enjoy the mountain evenings and early mornings, instead of scrambling to get back to your car before dark.
We stopped a couple of times on the way up the ridge, and just sat in the alpine grass, appreciating right now - the mountains, and us, together. The dogs played with each other, and I happened to get a shot of all three of them in a rare moment of affection among the mountain dog pack:
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After a long while I realized things will be allright with me, no matter what happens.
"I fully understand what life is about; It is about losing everything. . . so every morning we must celebrate what we have.
- Isabelle Allende
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